Branch holder



March 3, 19.42.

J. F. BIGHAM I BRANCH HOLDER Filed April 26, I941 Patented Mar. 3, 1942 UNITED STAT as mm OFFICE BRANCH HOLDER,

Johnlf'. Bigham, Frederic, Mich. Application April 26, 1941, Serial-No. 390,584 (01. 248-421 Claims.

This invention relatesto a branch" holder and it is particularly an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind for securely holding a branch to a tree, such as a Christmas tree, thereby permitting a branch to be added where desired to enhance the aesthetic value of the tree.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved branch holder whereby certain important advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, illustrating a holder constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the holder as illustrated in Figure 1, unapplied;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken sub-.- stantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in bottom plan of the device before the opposite end portions or arms thereof have been adjusted into desired angular relation.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, the improved holder is stamped from a single sheet of metal and is preferably colored to match as closely as possible the color of the tree trunk with which it is employed so that the device when in use will be practically unnoticeable.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the holder comprises two angularly related members or arms I and 2, the arm I being adapted for engagement with the trunk T or the like while the second member or arm 2 is adapted for securement to the branch B. The arms I and 2 are integrally connected and are flexed or bent on the lines 3 at their junction to bring said arms I and 2 in desired angular relation. As illustrated in the accompanying drawing the arms I and 2 in the complete device are disclosed as being substantially in perpendicular relation.

In the present embodiment of my invention the adjacent end portions of the arms I and 2 or the joining end portions of said arms are provided in their central portion with a relatively large opening 4 to facilitate the bending of the arms I and 2' one with respect to the other, as the requirements of practice may prefer.

The arm 'I is concavo-convex in cross-section and of such transverse curvature as to closely conform to the contour of the tree trunk T or the like with which it is to be used. The outer extremity of the member or arm I is provided with an outwardly disposed prong 5 substantially at right angles thereto, and which prong, as is particularly illustrated in Figure 1, is caused to penetrate the tree trunk T or the like for holding the device to the trunk.

To further assure the securement of the device to the tree trunk T or the like, there is struck therefrom at a desired point inwardly of the prong 5 a second prong 6, and this prong 6 is disposed in the same general direction as the prong 5 and is also adapted to be forced into the tree trunk T or the like.

The member or arm 2 is substantially semicylindrical in cross-section and of considerable depth with the free longitudinal or side margins thereof disposed upwardly or in the same direction as the member or arm I. Each longitudinal or side margin of the member or arm 2 has eX- .tending therefrom the relatively long spaced spurs I. In practice, the inner or butt end portion of a severed branch is placed within the member or arm 2 and the spurs I forced inwardly to closely overlie, and to some extent impinge, the branch B, resulting in an eifective securement of the device to the branch B. The member or arm I is then suitably positioned upon the tree trunk T or the like and the prongs 5 and 6 forced into the tree trunk. The member or arms I and 2 may be readily bent or flexed at their junction to have the branch B extend as preferred from the trunk T.

To further facilitate the securement of the member or arm 2 to the branch B, there is punched therefrom along each longitudinal marginal portion, the additional spurs 8 which may be forced into the branch B. It is believed to be obvious that, if preferred, the spurs I or 8 may be separately used.

It is also to be noted that the holder is preferably to be made in different sizes.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a branch holder constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. A holder of the class described comprising two arms formed from a single sheet of material, said arms at their junction being bendable one with respect to the other to arrange said arms in angular relation, and prongs carried by one of the arms to impinge a tree trunk or the like, the second arm being adapted to hold a tree branch.

2. A holder of the class described comprising two arms formed from a single sheet of material, said arms at their junction being bendable one with respect to the other to arrange said arms in angular relation, and prongs carried by one of the arms to impinge a tree trunk or the like, the second arm being adapted to hold a tree branch, the first-named arm being of a form in cross-section to closely conform to the surface of the tree trunk or the like to which it is secured.

3. A holder of the class described comprising two arms formed from a single sheet of material,

said arms at their junction being bendable one with respect to the other to arrange said arms in angular relation, prongs carried by one of the arms to impinge a tree trunk or the like, the second arm being adapted to hold a tree branch, the second arm also being substantially semicylindrical in cross-section and spurs carried by the longitudinal margins of the second arm to tightly engage the portion of a branch placed within the second arm.

4. A holder of the class described comprising two arms formed from a single sheet of material, said arms at their junction being bendable one with respect to the other to arrange said arms in angular relation, and prongs carried by one of the arms to impinge a tree trunk or the like, the second arm being adapted to hold a tree branch, the arms at their junction being weakened to facilitate opening.

5. A holder of the class described, comprising two arms formed from. a single sheet of material, said arms at their junction being bendable one with respect to the other to arrange said arms in angular relation, prongs carried by one of the arms to impinge a tree trunk or the like, the

second arm being adapted to hold a tree branch, the second arm also being substantially semicylindrical in cross-section, and means carried by the second arm for holding engagement with a portion of the branch placed within the second arm.

JOHN F. BIGHAM. 

